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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Revelation 6:9–17. His four-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
In the remaining part of this chapter we have the opening of the fifth and the sixth seals.
I.The fifth seal.
Here is no mention made of any one who called the apostle to make his observation, probably because the decorum of the vision was to be observed, and each of the four living creatures had discharged its duty of a monitor before, or because the events here opened lay out of the sight, and beyond the time, of the present ministers of the church; or because it does not contain a new prophecy of any future events, but rather opens a spring of support and consolation to those who had been and still were under great tribulation for the sake of Christ and the gospel. Here observe,
1.The sight this apostle saw at the opening of the fifth seal; it was a very affecting sight (Rev 6:9): I saw under the altar the souls of those that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held. He saw the souls of the martyrs. Here observe,
(1.)Where he saw them - under the altar; at the foot of the altar of incense, in the most holy place; he saw them in heaven, at the foot of Christ. Hence note,
[1.]Persecutors can only kill the body, and after that there is no more that they can do; their souls live.
[2.]God has provided a good place in the better world for those who are faithful to death and are not allowed a place any longer on earth.
[3.]Holy martyrs are very near to Christ in heaven, they have the highest place there.
[4.]It is not their own death, but the sacrifice of Christ, that gives them a reception into heaven and a reward there; they do not wash their robes in their own blood, but in the blood of the Lamb.
(2.)What was the cause in which they suffered - the word of God and the testimony which they held, for believing the word of God, and attesting or confessing the truth of it; this profession of their faith they held fast without wavering, even though they died for it. A noble cause, the best that any man can lay down his life for - faith in God's word and a confession of that faith.
2.The cry he heard; it was a loud cry, and contained a humble expostulation about the long delay of avenging justice against their enemies: How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on those that dwell on the earth? Rev 6:10. Observe,
(1.)Even the spirits of just men made perfect retain a proper resentment of the wrong they have sustained by their cruel enemies; and though they die in charity, praying, as Christ did, that God would forgive them, yet they are desirous that, for the honour of God, and Christ, and the gospel, and for the terror and conviction of others, God will take a just revenge upon the sin of persecution, even while he pardons and saves the persecutors.
(2.)They commit their cause to him to whom vengeance belongeth, and leave it in his hand; they are not for avenging themselves, but leave all to God.
(3.)There will be joy in heaven at the destruction of the implacable enemies of Christ and Christianity, as well as at the conversion of other sinners. When Babylon falls, it will be said, Rejoice over her, O thou heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God hath avenged you on her, Rev 18:20.
3.He observed the kind return that was made to this cry (Rev 6:11), both what was given to them and what was said to them.
(1.)What was given to them - white robes, the robes of victory and of honour; their present happiness was an abundant recompence of their past sufferings.
(2.)What was said to them - that they should be satisfied, and easy in themselves, for it would not be long ere the number of their fellow-sufferers would be fulfilled. This is a language rather suited to the imperfect state of the saints in this world than to the perfection of their state in heaven; there is no impatience, no uneasiness, no need of admonition; but in this world there is great need of patience. Observe,
[1.]There is a number of Christians, known to God, who are appointed as sheep for the slaughter, set apart to be God's witnesses.
[2.]As the measure of the sin of persecutors is filling up, so is the number of the persecuted martyred servants of Christ.
[3.]When this number is fulfilled, God will take a just and glorious revenge upon their cruel persecutors; he will recompense tribulation to those who trouble them, and to those that are troubled full and uninterrupted rest.
II.We have here the sixth seal opened, Rev 6:12.
Some refer this to the great revolutions in the empire at Constantine's time, the downfall of paganism; others, with great probability, to the destruction of Jerusalem, as an emblem of the general judgment, and destruction of the wicked, at the end of the world; and, indeed, the awful characters of this event are so much the same with those signs mentioned by our Saviour as foreboding the destruction of Jerusalem, as hardly to leave any room for doubting but that the same thing is meant in both places, though some think that event was past already. See Mat 24:29, Mat 24:30. Here observe,
1.The tremendous events that were hastening; and here are several occurrences that contribute to make that day and dispensation very dreadful: - (1.) There was a great earthquake. This may be taken in a political sense; the very foundations of the Jewish church and state would be terribly shaken, though they seemed to be as stable as the earth itself. (2.) The sun became black as sackcloth of hair, either naturally, by a total eclipse, or politically, by the fall of the chief rulers and governors of the land. (3.) The moon should become as blood; the inferior officers, or their military men, should be all wallowing in their own blood. (4.) The stars of heaven shall fall to the earth (Rev 6:13), and that as a fig-tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. The stars may signify all the men of note and influence among them, though in lower spheres of activity; there should be a general desolation. (5.) The heaven should depart as a scroll when it is rolled together. This may signify that their ecclesiastical state should perish and be laid aside for ever. (6.) Every mountain and island shall be moved out of its place. The destruction of the Jewish nation should affect and affright all the nations round about, those who were highest in honour and those who seemed to be best secured; it would be a judgment that should astonish all the world. This leads to,
2.The dread and terror that would seize upon all sorts of men in that great and awful day, Rev 6:15. No authority, nor grandeur, nor riches, nor valour, nor strength, would be able to support men at that time; yea, the very poor slaves, who, one would think, had nothing to fear, because they had nothing to lose, would be all in amazement at that day. Here observe,
(1.)The degree of their terror and astonishment: it should prevail so far as to make them, like distracted desperate men, call to the mountains to fall upon them, and to the hills to cover them; they would be glad to be no more seen; yea, to have no longer any being.
(2.)The cause of their terror, namely, the angry countenance of him that sits on the throne, and the wrath of the Lamb. Observe,
[1.]That which is matter of displeasure to Christ is so to God; they are so entirely one that what pleases or displeases the one pleases or displeases the other.
[2.]Though God be invisible, he can make the inhabitants of this world sensible of his awful frowns.
[3.]Though Christ be a lamb, yet he can be angry, even to wrath, and the wrath of the Lamb is exceedingly dreadful; for if the Redeemer, that appeases the wrath of God, himself be our wrathful enemy, where shall we have a friend to plead for us? Those perish without remedy who perish by the wrath of the Redeemer.
[4.]As men have their day of opportunity, and their seasons of grace, so God has his day of righteous wrath; and, when that day shall come, the most stout-hearted sinners will not be able to stand before him: all these terrors actually fell upon the sinners in Judea and Jerusalem in the day of their destruction, and they will all, in the utmost degree, fall upon impenitent sinners, at the general judgment of the last day.
Historical interpretation
Seven Centuries of Reception
8 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
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"And I saw, when he had opened the sixth seal, there was a great earthquake." In the sixth seal, then, was a great earthquake: this is that very last persecution.
"And the sun became black as sackcloth of hair." The sun becomes as sackcloth; that is, the brightness of doctrine will be obscured by unbelievers.
"And the entire moon became as blood." By the moon of blood is set forth the Church of the saints as pouring out her blood for Christ.
In the sixth seal we recognize the sixth age of the world. Toward the conclusion of this age the last persecution will come, and it says that the vehement shock of this persecution will shake the whole world like an earthquake. The sun and the moon are Christ and the church. The sun is said to become black, because many will be terrified at the last persecution and will deny them. It says, “Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, for the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that the brightness of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, might not shine.” And therefore it says, “so that even the elect, if possible, are led into error.” In this manner is the sun said to become black, when the power of Christ is hidden, or doctrine is obscured for a time, or defense is delayed when the impious are allowed to attack the saints. And therefore the prophet says, “Shall you leave this unnoticed, that the impious swallows the righteous?” And indeed of Christ himself we read, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and resurrection of many, and for a sign that is spoken against.” In him some make progress; others, turning away from him, incur ruin. “The moon turned to blood.” It is usually foretold that the church will shed more blood for Christ when the great outbreak of persecutions occurs. Therefore, this speaks of her own blood, not the blood of another as was the case with the red horse, which was described as red with another’s blood.
We think that this passage presents a transition from the times of the persecutions to the time before the arrival of the false Christ. For it has been prophesied that at that time there would be such tribulations, such as we know have never happened before. Indeed, throughout the Scriptures “earthquake” often signifies the change of things. The phrase “once again I will shake” signifies “the removal of what is shaken,” as the apostle says. And in the Old Testament it is said concerning the crossing of the Israelites from Egypt, “the earth quaked, the heavens poured.” The blackness of the sun and the dark, bloody appearance of the moon signify the darkness that will come upon those overtaken by the wrath of God, as Cyril often remarked.
And I saw when He opened the sixth seal, etc. With the opening of the sixth seal, the final persecution is announced, and just as the world was shaken with darkness and fear when the Lord was crucified on the sixth day, it will be so again.
And the sun became black as sackcloth. As if the power of Christ were hidden, or His doctrine temporarily obscured, or as if He were veiled from defense, when the ministers of Antichrist are allowed to attack the servants of Christ.
And the whole moon became like blood. The Church will shed blood for Christ more than usual. He said the whole moon, because the final commotion will be worldwide, whereas previously it was, as written, localized.
And I saw when he had opened the sixth seal: there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair: and the moon became as blood. By the earthquake we should understand the last persecution under the Antichrist. It is called great because, according to the Lord's saying, there will then be a tribulation such as has never been, neither shall be. [Matt. 24:21] The sun is Christ, according to this: Unto you that fear God, the Sun of justice shall arise. [Cf. Mal. 4:2] This sun will be darkened for the last people when those who looked as though they were shining in the body of Christ fall into the darkness of overt error. The sun may also indicate the shining life of those who preach. So in the last times the sun will be as sackcloth of hair because the shining life of those who preach will appear rough and despicable in the eyes of the reprobates. Indeed cilice is fit for criminals and sinners. By the moon turned into blood we recognize the holy Church stained in the elect by the blood of suffering. It is said to be entirely stained because no one who remains in the faith of the Mediator will be immune from that last persecution; whence Joel says, The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood: before the great and manifest day doth come. [Variant of Joel 2:31 close to the LXX version, where it is numbered 3:4]
The breaking of the sixth seal accomplished the perfect completion of our salvation; it destroyed death; it restored life; it crowned the conqueror of mankind, triumphing with confidence according to what is written: "For the only-begotten ascended on high; he led captivity captive; he received gifts among men." (Ps. 68:18: Eph. 4:8)
What then is the sixth seal's opening? It is the cross of the Lord and His death, followed by the prayer of every intellectual and sensible creature, the resurrection and ascension, "which He inaugurated for us a new and living way," the return from death to life through the tearing of "the veil of His flesh" (Heb. 10:20); which benefited not only the living but also those who had gone before.
For the Lord also went and preached to those in Hades who had once disobeyed, according to the divine apostle Peter, (1 Peter 3:19-20) and saved those who believed there, as is also thought by Cyril.
Of which things having happened, a great earthquake occurred, he says, and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, like a fig tree casting its unripe figs when shaken by a strong wind. The vision clearly depicts for us the signs that occurred on the cross: the earthquake and the shaking of the earth (Matt. 27:51), the darkening of the sun, and the entire transformation of the moon into blood.
Indeed, the whole [ὅλη] was added very precisely to the moon; for being nearly full and not divided, it showed the entire suffering on the day of the crucifixion through its entirety. It is customary for the enlightened part for such things to occur during lunar eclipses. And these things the prophet Joel also foretold would happen, saying, "The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes." (Joel 2:31)
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Summary
Revelation 6:12 dramatically portrays the opening of the sixth seal, unleashing a series of cataclysmic cosmic and terrestrial events. This verse describes a profound earthquake, the sun turning black like sackcloth, and the moon becoming blood-red, signaling an unprecedented escalation of divine judgment and the imminent arrival of God's wrath upon the earth, instilling terror and awe in those who witness these unmistakable signs.
Context
Literary Context
Revelation 6:12 immediately follows the opening of the fifth seal in Revelation 6:9-11, which revealed the souls of martyrs under the altar crying out for justice. The cosmic disturbances of the sixth seal are a direct divine response to their plea, shifting from the persecution of the saints to the judgment of their persecutors. This sequence builds the narrative tension, moving from human suffering and divine patience to a display of overwhelming divine power, setting the stage for the universal terror described in Revelation 6:15-17 and the subsequent interlude of the sealing of the 144,000 in Revelation 7.
Historical & Cultural Context
The imagery of cosmic disturbances—darkened sun, blood-red moon, and great earthquakes—was deeply rooted in Old Testament prophetic literature, particularly in passages describing the "Day of the Lord." Prophets like Joel (Joel 2:30-31), Isaiah (Isaiah 13:9-10), and Ezekiel (Ezekiel 32:7-8) used such language to describe moments of divine judgment upon nations or the entire world. For John's original audience, familiar with these prophetic traditions, the imagery would immediately evoke a sense of ultimate divine intervention and the terrifying culmination of history, signifying God's direct and undeniable wrath.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Revelation. It emphasizes Divine Judgment and Wrath, clearly demonstrating God's active involvement in history and His righteous response to sin and injustice, as foreshadowed in passages like Psalm 7:11. The theme of Cosmic Unraveling highlights the disruption of the natural order as a sign of the end times, a concept also found in Jesus's Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24:29). Furthermore, it underscores the Universality of God's Revelation, as these signs are visible to all, leaving no doubt about their divine origin and purpose, leading to the desperate attempts to hide from the "wrath of the Lamb" in Revelation 6:16.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This primary verb means "to see," either literally or figuratively. In this context, it emphasizes John's direct observation of these dramatic events, lending an eyewitness credibility to the apocalyptic vision. It implies a direct, undeniable perception of the unfolding judgment.
Derived from a verb meaning "to shake," this word denotes a commotion, specifically an earthquake or a tempest. Here, it signifies a massive, ground-shaking event, often used in biblical prophecy to indicate divine presence, judgment, or a significant upheaval in the established order, as seen in Exodus 19:18.
This versatile verb means "to come into being," "to become," or "to happen." Its repeated use in this verse ("sun became black," "moon became as blood") underscores the transformative nature of these events. It's not merely an appearance but a fundamental change in the state of the celestial bodies, signifying a new, terrifying reality.
Verse Breakdown
"And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal"
This phrase establishes the divine agency and the sequential nature of God's judgments. "He" refers to the Lamb (Jesus Christ), who alone is worthy to open the seals, demonstrating His authority over cosmic events and the unfolding of history. The opening of the sixth seal marks a critical turning point, escalating the judgments to a global, undeniable scale.
"and, lo, there was a great earthquake;"
The interjection "lo" (Greek idoú) draws immediate attention to the sudden and dramatic appearance of a "great earthquake." This is not a minor tremor but a cataclysmic event, signifying a profound disruption of the earth's stability, often associated in biblical prophecy with God's direct intervention and judgment upon humanity.
"and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair,"
This vivid simile describes the sun's transformation. "Sackcloth of hair" (often made from goat's hair) was a coarse, dark fabric worn in times of deep mourning, repentance, or distress. The sun, typically a source of light and life, turning black like this material powerfully symbolizes a period of profound darkness, despair, and the withdrawal of divine favor, signifying judgment and sorrow.
"and the moon became as blood;"
This striking image portrays the moon taking on the appearance of blood. This metaphor, frequently found in Old Testament prophetic literature, suggests violence, bloodshed, and a terrifying alteration of the natural order. It implies a time of great destruction, war, or a supernatural phenomenon that transforms the moon's usual appearance into a horrifying omen of divine wrath.
Literary Devices
Revelation 6:12 is rich in Apocalyptic Imagery, a genre characterized by symbolic language, visions, and dramatic descriptions of cosmic events to convey theological truths about the end times and divine judgment. The "great earthquake," "blackened sun," and "blood-red moon" are not necessarily literal scientific predictions but powerful, symbolic representations of God's overwhelming power and the severity of His wrath. Symbolism is paramount, with the sun and moon representing the stability and order of creation, their transformation signifying the unraveling of that order under divine judgment. The use of Simile ("black as sackcloth of hair," "moon became as blood") vividly communicates the nature of these changes, drawing on familiar cultural associations of mourning and bloodshed to convey the terrifying implications. The Hyperbole inherent in these descriptions emphasizes the unprecedented and catastrophic nature of these events, designed to evoke awe and fear in the reader, underscoring the finality and totality of God's impending judgment.
Theological and Thematic Connections
The cosmic disturbances in Revelation 6:12 are deeply rooted in Old Testament prophetic traditions, serving as unmistakable signs of the "Day of the Lord"—a time of divine reckoning and judgment upon the wicked. This imagery underscores God's absolute sovereignty over creation and history, demonstrating that even the most fundamental elements of the cosmos are subject to His will and can be altered to execute His righteous decrees. These signs are not random occurrences but purposeful acts of God, designed to awaken humanity to the reality of His impending wrath and the inescapable accountability for their actions. They signify a profound shift from the initial, more localized judgments of the previous seals to a universal display of divine power that leaves no one untouched or unaware.
Reflection and Application
Revelation 6:12, with its terrifying cosmic signs, serves as a powerful reminder of God's ultimate sovereignty and the certainty of His justice. While the imagery is apocalyptic, its message calls believers to a profound sense of spiritual readiness and unwavering hope. We are reminded that all earthly systems, even the cosmos itself, are temporary and subject to God's will. This perspective should cultivate a spirit of humility and dependence on God, rather than fear. It challenges us to examine our own lives, ensuring that our hope is fixed not on the transient stability of this world but on the eternal kingdom of God. The dramatic nature of these future events should motivate us to live faithfully, share the gospel with urgency, and persevere in righteousness, knowing that our ultimate deliverance and vindication come from the Lamb who opened the seals.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Are the cosmic events in Revelation 6:12 meant to be interpreted literally or symbolically?
The interpretation of these events often falls into two main categories: literal and symbolic. Those who lean towards a literal interpretation believe that these will be actual, observable physical phenomena—a global earthquake, the sun literally darkening, and the moon appearing blood-red. They see these as undeniable, physical signs preceding Christ's return. Others argue for a more symbolic interpretation, viewing these as powerful metaphors for profound political, social, or spiritual upheavals that will shake the foundations of human society and established order. Given the highly symbolic nature of much of Revelation, it's plausible that these descriptions convey the impact and severity of divine judgment rather than a strictly scientific prediction. However, even if symbolic, they point to real, tangible consequences of God's wrath that will be universally experienced and understood as divine intervention. The language deliberately echoes Old Testament prophecies of the "Day of the Lord," where such phenomena often accompany significant historical judgments, whether literal or figurative.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Revelation 6:12, while depicting terrifying judgments, ultimately points to the supreme authority and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. It is the Lamb, Jesus Himself, who is worthy to open these seals (Revelation 5:5), demonstrating His sovereign control over history and His role as the righteous Judge. The cosmic disturbances, far from being random, are the unfolding of His divine plan, culminating in the establishment of His eternal kingdom. These signs foreshadow the ultimate return of Christ, not merely as a suffering servant, but as the King of kings and Lord of lords, who will execute perfect justice and bring all things to their appointed end. The "great earthquake" and celestial signs echo the shaking of the heavens and earth that will accompany His glorious advent (Hebrews 12:26-27), leading to a new creation where righteousness dwells. Therefore, these judgments, though fearsome, are part of the process by which Christ purifies the earth and prepares it for His reign, ultimately fulfilling the promise of a new heaven and a new earth where there will be no more sorrow or pain (Revelation 21:1-4).